BRUTAL ASSAULT CASE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 258, 5 October 1925, Page 6

BRUTAL ASSAULT CASE.

HUSBAND SENT TO PRISON. COURT GRANTS SEPARATIONAUCKLAND, Oct. 2. A story of cruel treatment by her husband was related by Jean Bradshaw, a frail-looking woman, in the Police Court when George Bradshaw was charged with assaulting her. Application was made by Mrs Bradshaw for separation and maintenance. Mrs Bradshaw said her husband returned home at about 7 o’clock on Wednesday evening under the influence of liquor. He later quarrelled and, after collecting a few things, walked out of the house. “I followed him down the street and tried to get him to come back,” she said. ‘‘He iiunclied me on the chest and I do not remember any more until I woke up in my house. My father and 'a strange man were in the room.”

Senior-Sergeant Bdwards said that accused was convicted and sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment last March for assaulting his wife. Mrs Bradshaw said there were two step-children, who were provided for by the Public Trustee. Her husband was earning £4 a week. Accused said that as soon as he went home his wife tried to hit him over the head with a poker. “Yes, 1 did swing the poker, but he got hold of it and bent it around the neck of my old father,” said Mrs Bradshaw. “1 would have done anything. He used filthy language' to me.”

Accused: Do you deny that you broke the poker ? Fes, you broke it. Accused : What about the marks on the top of my head ? Mr Moody (counsel for Mrs Bradshaw): There are not as many as you swauld have.

Accused (to his wife): Twelve months ago you stabbed me with a fork. Do you deny that?—Yes.

A passer-by who witnessed the scene on the street said he had never seen a man make a more brutal attack on a woman. Accused hit his wife in the face and she went over like a bit of wood. Ho then kicked her on the ground. Accused alleged that his wife followed him up the street and tore his collar away. Mrs Bradshaw denied this, and said she caught hold of her husband’s coat at the back.

Constable Riddle, who was called to the house, said lie saw Mrs Bradshaw lying down. She was in a bad state. When he was thero accused returned and did not seem a bit penitent. He resisted when witness arrested him, and wanted to start the trouble all over again. Accused said that when ho arrived home on Wednesday evening his wife immediately “went for him.” Her father also took a baud, and between the two they soon had him on the floor. “The old dad tried to get his knee on my neck,” Lo said. “I finally got out free and weut out of the house. It was no good to me.” Mr Moody: The father is 78 years old.

Mr Moody said they were not asking that accused should he imprisoned. They would be satisfied with separation and maintenance.

“This is a bad case,” said the Magistrate, Mr Poynton, in passing sentence of 14 days’ imprisonment. A separation order .was made, and accused was ordered to pay 30s a week maintenance.